Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 April 2017
338. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider implementing legislative controls on short-term rentals such as those implemented successfully in Berlin and New York City in an effort to rectify short-term rentals such as those by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of supply, the focus in the Strategy for the Rental Sector is on maintaining existing levels of rental stock and encouraging investment in additional supply. There are shortages in the supply of rental accommodation in key locations, particularly in urban areas. In some of these areas there is also significant demand for transitory short-term accommodation. In this context, providing short term rentals at higher prices may be an attractive option for landlords. However, a determination by An Bord Pleanála in a particular case has determined that the exclusive use of a residential apartment for short-term holiday lettings is a material change of use requiring planning permission.
The implications of this case have raised a number of regulatory and other related issues, such as tax liability, residential tenancy regulation, support for tourism, and planning. The Strategy for the Rental Sector provides for the establishment by my Department of a working group, comprising representatives of relevant stakeholders including local authorities, relevant Departments, public bodies and other interests in the area, with a view to providing more information on the scale and nature of the issue and full clarity regarding the appropriate regulatory approach to be adopted in relation to short-term tourism-related lettings. The working group is due to report in Quarter 2 2017.
In the meantime, my Department is in active discussions with organisations involved in short term letting with a view to establishing collaborative agreements within the coming weeks to ensure that those involved in such letting have all the required planning permissions.
